About us

1. VESS introduction

Viet Nam Center for Economic and Strategic Studies (VESS) is established in September 2020 by a group of economists and political scientists working together since 2008 as the founders and core team of the Viet Nam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR), a leading think tank in Viet Nam. Therefore, VESS inherited all the experience and intellectual properties accumulated in the last 12 years at VEPR. VESS has legal status, registered as a social enterprise not-for-profit under the law of Viet Nam, headquartered at Level 7, TMC Tower, No.1 Luong Yen, Hai Ba Trung District, Ha Noi.

As an independent scientific research agency, VESS considers its primary  mission to carry out economic and strategic analyses which help policy-making agencies, businesses, international institutions and interest groups make better decision by providing insights into the nature of the economic movement and international relations. VESS’s development philosophy is based on five pillars for Viet Nam: market economy promotion, rule of law establishment, civil society empowerment, the value of individual freedom and the culture of democracy.

2. VESS core activities

The main activities of VESS include (i) conducting independent and original research in economics, political science and related fields; (ii) providing quality research, policy analysis, and consultancy services to government bodies, organizations and industries; (iii) organizing advanced training in economics, finance, international relations and policy analysis.

Research: conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses of economic, social and political changes in Vietnam as well as over the world, and assessment of their impacts on various interest groups throughout the country.

• • • VESS’s Program on Chinese Strategic Studies (VCSS): producing research products with a focus on China’s strategies in globalization and economic development.
    • VESS’s Program on Comparative Politics and Governance (VPCG): developing thinking, analysis skills and scientific products in the fields of philosophy and political science while providing discussions on emerging issues in political discourse from the perspective of science.
    • VESS’s Program on Vietnam – Japan Productivity Promotion Initiative (VJPP): providing research and training activities based on learning from experience and transferring knowledge from Japan to Vietnam, with the goal of enhancing Vietnamese labour productivity and contributing to help Vietnam escape from the middle-income trap for the next stage of development, becoming a modern industrialized country.

Consultancy: providing high-quality consultancy services for international donors and clients in Vietnam. The Center has established its reputation as one of the leading research organizations in Vietnam focusing on macroeconomic policy, industrial development analysis and emerging strategic issues with the commitment of Vietnamese senior researchers and experts in the field of economic and strategic studies.
VESS has regularly organized policy dialogues among decision-makers, scholars, entrepreneurs, media agencies and other stakeholders to provide solutions to emerging issues. With policy recommendations derived from evidence-based studies, the Institute provides direct consultancy to the Vietnamese leadership (Central Party Committee, National Assembly, Office of the Government and Office of the President).

Education & Training: delivering advanced training courses in economics, finance, international relations and policy analysis regularly and upon request. VESS’s Advanced Training Program (VESS’s ATP) has also worked in coordination with universities globally to offer positions to overseas interns every summer as well as offer internship opportunities to outstanding students in Vietnam. Specialized seminars would be organized on regular basis for research fellows to share their research findings.

VESS examines national and regional priority issues and addresses significant questions relating to development economics, international relations, macroeconomic policy, social and environmental issues, and sectorial analysis. As a non-profit organization with high-quality expertise, VESS produces quarterly assessments and forecasts for macroeconomic-geopolitical situations and strategic issues of Vietnam and the world in a scientific and objective manner while contributing to raising the voice of enterprises, social organizations and communities for social affairs. It has also participated in policy formulation and evaluation through its involvement with policy-making agencies and policy advisory institutions.

VESS professional competence is ensured by (i) our commitment to undertake tasks with the highest quality in a spirit of science; (ii) our utilization of scientific, professional, technical and logistics resources; and (iii) our network of international experts and nation-wide collaborators. Our works are carried out and managed in accordance with ethical standards of applying science with integrity, in the interest of humanity, and with respect for human rights, dignity and diversity, and professional, scientific and social responsibility.